Climber · Fabaceae family
Chinese wisteria
Wisteria sinensis
In short a 10-second read
Chinese wisteria (climber) grows to 3–12 m tall and 1.2–5 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average soil. It flowers in May–June; the flowers are purple, blue or white. Hardy to −29 °C.
× spread 1.2–5 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, sandy, clay
Soil pH 5.5–7.5
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
May–June · purple, blue or white
Pruning
cut back by a third (July–August); cut back by a third (January–February)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −29 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Chinese wisteria flower?
In May–June; the flowers are purple, blue or white.
Does Chinese wisteria tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does Chinese wisteria need?
At maturity 1.2–5 m wide and 3–12 m tall; recommended spacing 200 cm.
Does Chinese wisteria survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
Toxicity
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 24 expert sources. Last checked 20 October 2026.
Show sources (24)
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Wisteria sinensis
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Wisteria sinensis
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Wisteria sinensis
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Wisteria sinensis
- Wikidata (CC0) — Wisteria sinensis
- EPPO Global Database — Wisteria sinensis
- Van den Berk Nurseries (NL) — Wisteria sinensis
- RHS — Wisteria sinensis
- RHS - Wisteria pruning guide
- RHS - How to grow wisteria
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS Plants
- RHS Plants
- Tox Info Suisse — Giftige Garten- und Wildpflanzen
- BfR / GIZ — Liste giftiger Pflanzenarten
- Giftzentrale Bonn (GIZ Bonn)
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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